Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent Indian activist, ended his 26-day hunger strike after the government pledged not to prosecute protesters. However, demonstrators insist on continuing their protests until the Education Minister resigns.
On 24 July 2026, international news agencies reported that Sonam Wangchuk, a renowned 59-year-old Indian education and environmental activist, announced ending his hunger strike after fasting for 26 days. He was supporting youth demands for education system reform. Earlier, he posted on the X platform that he decided to end the fast following lengthy negotiations on multiple issues and to prevent potential violence in the country.
Local Indian media reported that Wangchuk lost 11 kilograms during his hunger strike but remains safe. He ended his protest after the government assured that no legal action would be taken against protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. During his hospital stay, several Indian government ministers visited him.
Abhijit Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party—a leading group in the movement—said he feels relieved that Wangchuk ended his hunger strike but confirmed that peaceful protests at Jantar Mantar will continue until Dharmendra Pradhan, the Education Minister, resigns. Protesters demand Pradhan take political responsibility and step down following the cancellation of the national medical entrance exam in May due to a leak. The incident sparked significant criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.
Source: BBC